The Chula Vista Venue's Staging of First Date is Hilarious and Uplifting with a Vibrant Young Cast
A Blog View by Alejandra Enciso-Dardashti
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| Benjamin Monts, Andrew Gutierrez, KylieYoung, and Shelby Beltran in First Date. Photo by Daren Scott |
First Date is from the "new era" of
American musicals premiering 10 years ago in Seattle and on Broadway in 2013,
with a book by Austin Winsberg and music and lyrics by Alan Zachary and Michael
Weiner. Onstage Playhouse brings a very funny and entertaining production of
this timeless piece which many can identify with. Because many have gone on a
blind date and/or have been set up by a friend or family member (dating apps
aside). First Date is also the first musical at Onstage since
the shutdown over two years ago.
The musical starts with five
people singing about dating disasters shifting then to the restaurant/bar,
"The Grub Spot" where Aaron (Benjamin Monts) walks in all nervous and
asks the bartender (Enrique Arana) for a drink recommendation which the bartender
“recognizes" is a blind date. In walks Casey, performed by Adelaida
Martinez -but because of a shuffle-ball-change in the cast- in the performance
I saw was Kylie Young, who actually plays Casey's sister Lauren and in this
performance was played by Emily Candia. Hope that got through clearly... Ahhh
that is the wonder of theatre, understudies, swings, and the show must
go on.
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| Jaden Guerrero, Shelby Beltran, and EnriqueArana in First Date. Photo by Daren Scott |
Emily is happily married, and
her husband works with Aaron, hence the blind date. She is also
worried about her sister's biological clock and settling down. Casey is a
serial dater and lover of bad boys. The one-act plot is filled with hilarious
and relatable songs about dating (First Impressions), being from
different religions (The Girl For You), past relationships (That's
Why You Love Me), and the ever-classic scheduled call during a first date
in case things are going south (Bailout Song), performed in a format that was either a memory or a foreshadowing that was fresh and uber entertaining. The young
ensemble is funny, fabulous, and fantastic having audiences laughing non-stop
truly complementing and rounding out the story, while each of them portrays
more than three different characters. A difficult task that is well resolved and tightly delivered with Kevin “Blax” Burroughs's direction which also allowed the actors
to use all corners of the small space to interact with audience members and
break the fourth wall. Andrew Gutierrez is a hoot in all his roles but
especially as Casey's best friend Reggie and the ex-boyfriend stoner,
giving mean dance moves and rapping skills. Shelby Beltran is sweet with a
potent voice and serious comedic flare, dazzling with her talent and charm. It
is great to see Jaden Guerrero back in a contrasting light after his heavy
portrayal of Timmy in Turning
Off the Morning News. Guerrero steps it up showing
different acting abilities in this comedy as bad-boy Gabe, Aaron's best friend
amongst other humorous roles. Arriba Peru! with Enrique Arana as the struggling
performer -dimples for days-amazing hair-/bartender-waiter who is absolutely
charming.
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| Benjamin Monts, Enrique Arana, and KylieYoung in First Date. Photo by Daren Scott |
Onstage Playhouse rising to the
challenge in this production, presents First Date with live
music directed by Benjamin Goniea also in keys, Roy Jenkins in bass, and
Preston Lange in drums. A truly admirable effort that definitely adds to the
piece. Reiko Huffman's set design is beautiful and functional with every detail
to the core from the high-top tables accented with tangled branches on the bases, to the bar where actors hop on and off to sing and dance, and the restaurant menu changing option specials on a screen. Just lovely.
When cast changes happen last
minute, it is a very interesting exercise to watch, like an "all hands on deck" or "toda la carne en el asador" moment. Emily Candia who in this
performance pivoted as the obsessive sister Lauren is fantastic. She does it
all! sing, dance, and do serious but funny. Having her last acting
reference in Drowning
Girls and seeing other acting layers, is without a doubt awesome, sort of being witness to an actor's journey/trajectory. Kylie Young
stepping in for Adelaida as Casey was also very good and she looked amazing,
although I felt the rapport with Benjamin Monts who was also good was not as solid and tight as
the ensemble. The hits and the notes were there, it just needed a bit of
tightening which surely will happen along the performances. It would be cool to
come back and see the show with the roles as originally planned. (Maybe I will
go back and let you all know).  |
| Andrew Gutierrez and Benjamin Monts in First Date. Photo by Daren Scott |
All in all, Onstage Playhouse's
production of First Date is a must-see. Congratulations on offering a platform
for up-and-coming, diverse artists to thrive and show their talent. Other theatre companies should take a page from this book. (ahem *clears throat*).
Currently playing until November 6. For
performance times and ticket prices please click here.
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